DR. LES LEDBETTER, D.D.S.
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DR. LES LEDBETTER, D.D.S.
Missing teeth cause discomfort and embarrassment. Let us help restore your comfort and confidence with state-of-the-art dental implants. Dental implants are yet another way to replace missing teeth and help maintain your healthy smile. Dental implants replace the root structure of missing teeth or serve to support bridges or fixed partial dentures. The bone actually fuses to the implant and a crown is placed to provide the replacement tooth structure.
We will make an incision in your gums and use a series of specialized drills to create a space for the implant. Drilling will start with a tiny drill bit that gets slightly larger to widen the hole to avoid damage to the surrounding bone. Then, your dentist will place the titanium screw of the dental implant into this hole. Depending on your treatment plan, the abutment may also be attached to the implant. Finally, your gums will be sutured, and you will be able to return home the same day.
Once the implant has fused to the surrounding bone, the dental crown can be attached. If not already connected, there may need to be minor surgery to attach the abutment before attaching the dental prosthetic. Once the prosthetic has been secured, the dental implant process is complete, and your smile is restored!
Many patients who receive dentures have a wide range of food restrictions because certain foods can damage your dentures. Luckily, with dental implant-supported dentures, you can enjoy a wide range of foods. Patients can eat sticky, chewy, and hard foods, similar to how they did with their natural teeth. Many patients love dental implants because they can eat so many different foods while wearing their dental implants.
Whether you have one dental implant or an entire set of dentures, it is essential to care for your dental implants properly. We recommend caring for your dental implants similarly to how you care for your natural teeth. Patients should develop a good oral hygiene routine by brushing, flossing, and mouthwash twice a day. A good oral hygiene routine can remove debris from the implants and prevent decay from sitting on the gums and causing disease. We also recommend that patients with dental implants visit our office every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. Our team will remove debris and plaque from your implants during the dental cleaning and, more importantly, your gums.
Additionally, during the dental exam, your dentist will monitor the health of your gums and your implants. Overall, it is essential to maintain a good oral health routine to ensure that your implants last for a lifetime.
At Ledbetter Family Dental Care, we work hard to make dental procedures such as dental implants comfortable. We utilize general and local anesthetics to decrease discomfort during a process at our office. Our office may offer you laughing gas or a sedation medication, such as a pill, to help you relax during the procedure. Additionally, your dentist will perform the function under local anesthesia, which means he will place a shot of lidocaine around the tooth to help numb the area before working on it. If you are worried about discomfort during your upcoming dental implant procedure, call our office right away for more information about the comfort techniques we use.
Patients missing one or more teeth can benefit from a dental implant. We offer traditional dental implants that are titanium posts that sit in the jaw bone and connect to attachments such as dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures. For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, call our office today.